Reviews of Power and Piety books

Power & Piety - The ultimate guide for seeking out the magnificent monastic houses of medieval England. Well laid out with maps and detailed descriptions to help the visitor seek out the some 900 monastic houses of UK’s medieval Christendom. Having visited this area of England before, I began with volume four of the series. Through the wonderful photographs and county by county details, one becomes immersed in the rise of monasticism in the late 6th century; through the widespread destruction by the Danes, the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the final dissolution by Henry VIII in mid-16th century. Through all of this, great and modest abbeys and cathedrals were built, many destroyed and rebuilt, some just lost to time; but many magnificent buildings are still with us today. From Gloucester Cathedral that graces the cover to Lady Godiva’s statue, to the magnificent wood carving of King David’s father Jesse in Wales, history comes alive. If you’re planning a visit to witness first-hand the living history as expressed in these wonderful structures, this book series is a must.

Power & Piety - Thorough and Comprehensive. Some excellent illustrations

Power & Piety - These beautifully presented books, (there are four volumes in total, covering the whole of England and Wales) provide a very comprehensive history of medieval monasticism in Britain.
The detailed descriptive text, accompanied by the excellent colour photography which accompanies every entry, is a real encouragement to visit the sites and the introduction and glossary are very helpful.
A unique and wonderful find for those with an interest in the subject.